Truss Plates

Determining The Truss Manufacturer

Question: 

I am trying to determine the manufacturer of some wood trusses installed in the early 1980s in New Jersey. The stamp mark on the connector plates reads, to the best of my ability, TPL-153A (it could be PPL or TPI, but I am unsure). I need to get in contact with this truss manufacturer in order to determine design loads for the truss, as I am remodeling the store under the roof.

Ga Rc 2601

Question: 

In RC 2601, is RC-1 Channel used?

Fire Damaged Trusses

Question: 

I have been hired by an insurance company to determine the extent of damage to roof trusses exposed to fire. How much fire damage compromises the structural integrity of the truss?

Average Plate Values

Question: 

I am a structural engineer trying to locate average plate values such that I can recreate truss designs for a roof structure that is over two decades old. The plates are not marked with any type of identification, therefore I need to take a conservative approach in the design and determine worst case scenarios.

Information On Truss Fire Issues

Question: 

I am trying to develop a guideline for my firefighters regarding initial fire attack in buildings with light-weight trusses. My concern is truss failure, especially when exposed to fire. Is there any information on failure time related to flame impingement? Any information about truss failure – especially in a fire condition would be helpful.

Duct And Light Penetrations Of Fire Rated Assemblies

Question: 

In a small scale multi-family residential project, I'd like to use a wood truss floor-ceiling assembly to achieve a one hour separation between units. I'd like to directly attach the drywall to the underside of the trusses & use the truss space for ducts & lighting (the floor above will be lightweight concrete on plywood sub-floor). UL assemblies do not seem to address the duct/light penetrations in such an assembly. Can I achieve a one-hour rating in such an assembly and how are penetrations addressed? Can the ducts in the truss space serve both units above and below?

Post Fire Retardant Treatment

Question: 

Is a Class A fire rating (provided by our liquid spray-on fire retardant) acceptable in certain situations?

Sprinklers Above Gypboard Ceiling

Question: 

I have a 29 x 72 mobile office with a 2-foot deep wooden truss above the ceiling that a client is required to sprinkler. Is there any way to avoid sprinklering above the gypboard ceiling?

Trusses In Corrosive Environments

Question: 

I am a building designer on a salt storage building project. I would like to use metal plate connected wood trusses in the design. What should I specify for the metal connector plates?

Information On Frt Roof Trusses

Question: 

I need to obtain some information on fire-retardant-treated roof trusses.